Melissa Etheridge Creates A ‘4th Street Feeling’

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Melissa Etheridge’s new album, 4th Street Feeling, due out September 4, is the latest effort in the singer/songwriter’s career, which has spanned close to a quarter-century now.

She drew upon past experiences and her broad musical taste to create a collection of songs that reflects who she is as an artist. But leading up to the making of her 12th album, she noticed a certain pattern emerging.

“It seems my creative life has kind of taken on a cycle,” says Etheridge. “I go out and tour and then the year after that I start writing it. And then I make another album and it’s just this lovely cycle that’s been happening.”

She admits though that it was while touring behind 2010’s Fearless Love that a certain spark ignited inside of her to start writing songs for what would become 4th Street Feeling.

“I was taking my older music and loving these new musicians that I was working with and my songs and my ability as a musician actually started growing. And I said, ‘Wait a minute I can’t wait to write songs and to perform them.’”

Not only did she find inspiration through touring, but she was also influenced by the music she had always listened to, along with the music she had personally been making throughout her career. She drew from a wide span within her history, starting with her early years in country music bands all the way to recording and performing behind her mainstream hits. Mix that with the artists that initially (and still do) influence her and what came forth was her new album.

She says, “I realize when I perform, when I take my songs and make a show of them and perform them for thousands of people, I am working with all the influences I’ve ever had.” Fans can see this happen before their very eyes when she hits the road this October.